Credentialing

Credentialing & Security

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) requires that all persons who have a legitimate business need to enter upon property owned and controlled by the GPA in Savannah, Brunswick and Bainbridge, Georgia, possess and display properly issued and authorized identification credentials. The security objective is to provide for the safety and security of people, cargo and infrastructure assets while facilitating the productive flow of commerce into, within and out of GPA-owned marine terminal facilities.

Identification badges must be prominently displayed on outer clothing at all times while in a GPA facility.

Persons who regularly access the marine terminals (5 port visits in a 365-day period) must obtain an Identification Badge. Badges issued through the Savannah Credentialing Center will be accepted at all GPA terminals. Visitor passes will be available at entry gates for persons who only require periodic access to the facilities for legitimate purposes as determined by the GPA. Visitor passes will only be available on a daily basis. The procedures for obtaining a permanent or visitor badge are outlined below.

The Identification Badge application and Company Registration form are subject to change. This website should be checked for the most current information regarding the Identification Badge procedures. Forms are located at the links on the left side of this page.

Outline of Procedure for Obtaining Identification Badges: (Details and further explanation are provided below.)

A business must first complete a Company Registration Form and submit the form to the GPA Facility Security Officer. Only one Company Registration Form is required for each company.

A Port Identification Badge Request Form must be submitted to the GPA Facility Security Officer for each employee.

GPA personnel will approve or reject the request and notify the Company Representative when the employee can receive an Identification Badge.

Identification Badges will be issued at the GPA Credentialing Center located at 100 Main Street, Highway 25, Garden City, Georgia 31408.

Upon employee-employer separation, the company representative will be required to immediately notify the GPA Facility Security Officer of the employee's separation. In addition, employers should retrieve the ID Badge from the employee and return same to the GPA along with the Separation Form.

The above insurance policies shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be canceled, allowed to lapse or allowed to expire until 30 days after the Georgia Ports Authority, P.O. Box 2406, Savannah, Georgia 31402, has received written notice thereof.

This rule is not to be construed as requiring any user of the Port's facilities or premises to indemnify or hold harmless the Georgia Ports Authority for any portion or percentage of losses, if any, caused by the negligence of the Georgia Ports Authority, its agents, or employees.

Form Submittals: Forms must be submitted online.

Revocation: Revocation of a GPA identification badge and access denial can occur at any time in the best interests or business decisions to protect the assets of GPA, personnel and its’ facilities or terminals.

Company Registration: Businesses with employees that have a legitimate need to access GPA marine terminals will be required to complete a Company Registration Form online.

Businesses requesting access will be required to provide a corporate point of contact (an alternate should also be provided) that will have authority, on behalf of the business, to request Identification Badges for employees. The point of contact for the Company will also be required to submit an application requesting a GPA Identification Badge. The point of contact will be required to advise the GPA regarding the termination of employees and return invalid credentials.

Permanent Identification Badge: Persons who regularly access the marine terminals must display an Identification Badge at all times when on the facilities. The person requesting the Identification Badge must complete an Identification Badge application form. In addition, the person's employer must request that an Identification Badge be issued to the employee by completing the online Port Identification Request Form.

Waterfront Access: For reasons of security, access to the GPA waterfront, and thus to any vessels that may be on berth, will be strictly controlled. GPA Port Police personnel will control access to the waterfront. Only personnel with legitimate business will be allowed access and will be required to have an identification badge to identify themselves.

When requesting an Identification Badge, the employer's authorized company representative will be required to state the purpose for which the applicant needs access to the waterfront. Persons who regularly access the waterfront more than five (5) times in 365 days must apply for a credential. The GPA, in its sole discretion, has the authority to grant, deny or suspend access privileges to GPA waterfront facilities.

Denials/Appeals: Applicants denied access to the waterfront should contact their employer to submit a letter on their behalf. Letters from tenants and port-associated companies in good standing should be mailed to the Chief of Port Police, P.O. Box 2406, Savannah, Georgia 31402 no later than 14 calendar days after the date of the denial letter. The letter should outline the company's desires to retain the employee and to an appeal.

Upon receipt of any appeal request, the Chief of Port Police will review the request with GPA legal counsel and will, if necessary, arrange a hearing with an arbitrator for determination. Applicants with grounds to appeal will be scheduled for a hearing and notified within ten (10) calendar days of the receipt of their application. Findings will be submitted to the GPA Deputy Executive Director for final determination.

If written request is not received within the allotted period, the proposed denial shall become final.

Visitor Badges: GPA Visitor Badges will be issued at the point of entry. Persons who require access to the marine terminals on an occasional basis for a legitimate need, must obtain a visitor pass prior to entry upon GPA terminal facilities. Visitors are asked to provide advance notice to the Port Police with their full name, purpose of the visit, date and time of the visit in order to reduce time spent at the entry point.

Visitors will be required to present valid picture identification at the security gate (e.g., state driver's license). The visitor pass must be displayed at all times while on the facilities. The visitor will surrender the GPA visitor pass upon exit.

Cost: There will be no charge for the initial Identification Badge. Lost Identification Badges will be replaced for a fee of $25.00. The GPA reserves the right to charge for Identification Badges in the future.